Historic Agreement: Vatican Recognizes Tianjin's Catholic Bishop Amid Government Tensions

China's government has officially recognized Melchior Shi Hongzhen, the Catholic bishop of Tianjin, who had previously been under house arrest. This development follows a landmark agreement between the Vatican and Beijing, aimed at easing tensions between loyal Catholics and the state church. The agreement is up for renewal this autumn.

The Chinese government has officially acknowledged the authority of Melchior Shi Hongzhen, the Catholic bishop of Tianjin, who had previously faced house arrest for not aligning with the state's church structure, according to a Vatican announcement on Tuesday.

The Vatican described this development as a "positive fruit" of ongoing dialogue with the Chinese government. In 2018, the Vatican and Beijing struck a landmark deal, renewed in 2022, concerning the appointment of Catholic bishops in China. The agreement allows Chinese officials some influence over the selection of bishops, aiming to ease tension between China's underground Catholic community loyal to the Pope and the state-supported church.

Shi, 94, who has served as bishop of Tianjin since 2019 and was ordained as a Catholic bishop in 1982, participated in an inauguration ceremony on Tuesday to mark his official recognition by the Chinese government. The ceremony was held in a hotel rather than a church, highlighting that Shi was ordained decades ago. The Vatican and Beijing are set to decide this autumn on renewing their agreement. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's chief diplomat, indicated in May that the church is hopeful for the renewal.

(With inputs from agencies.)